Dad You're probably about to get on plane at New York. Last leg! Yes, I would have loved the train journey - and love that you have seen so much and enjoyed yourself so much. And as you say it has not always been plain sailing. But an experience all of us this end of the blog can only admire and envy you greatly for. Rarely seen mum so excited (and Vic) at having you almost home. See you in 10 hours!

Fay Safe Journey home Alex! What are we going to do without your blog to read!! Although it sounds like your next adventure is already in the the pipeline so not long to wait for the next blog. Have a lovely homecoming! xxx

Grandad and Maggie Hi Alex - like AV completely missed your last blog until this morn (Friday) spect your well your way home by the time you read this so hope you have a safe journey homeward bound - wrap up warm its very cold here at the moment but sure you will cope, after all, whats a bit of cold and a sprinkling of snow after all that you have coped with over the last five months, not to mention an erupting wisdom tooth! The Inca trail sounded amazing - what a wonderful experience and yes, life will be a bit less colourful than what you have gotten used to but you are coming home to a whole load of love - so enjoy! PS I am having a guess as a piercing, or a tattoo as your surprise rather than a giant tortoise ( so much easier to travel on a plane with!) Take care Alex - been lovely talking to you over your adventures and hope to see you soon - love and hugs Grand dad and Maggie xx

Paul Thank you, Mandy & Auntie Vic. It was very nice of you to welcome me in. I imagine the wanderer will be home soon now - have a lovely reunion!

Anutie Vic Hello the one night i didn't check blog and you snuck in!!! blinkin fuming!! anyways glad the Inca trail was a good ending to your adventure and even more pleased that the shoes lasted til the end of it!! Now whats this surprise you have then??? please let it be a baby for me and mumma!!!! Although a tortoise would do. Alls good here i'm at yours as i type i met mum at b and ms when she finished work (living the dream) Cant wait to see ya and hear all the stories that were not bloggable!! Feeling very excited for Saturday. Safe journey home. Love you lots xxxxxxx Paul its been nice blogging with you x

Smell Hey bispo! I'm gonna what's app you as well but glad to inca trail was fab and you enjoyed it! A lot of trekking for my liking!! Have a safe and restful trip back!! Look forward to seeing you soon as is everyone else!! Love u lots xx xx ps. I've been showing the kids at school out countdown video!! Negotiate....

Mum Hello Sweetheart, I am so pleased that the Inca trail and Macchu Pichu lived up to expectation! Sounds absolutely amazing and I can understand why it is on so many people's bucket list. Not so good about your tooth but well done you for just getting on with it! Am slightly worried about what you are coming home with but am secretly hoping it's a giant tortoise! All good here, Dad off on a racing jolly for a couple of days and I am busy changing your bed etc. for your return (got to have a cosy bed to come home to). Have a safe and trouble free journey back sweetheart, we are so looking forward to seeing you and hearing even more tales! Love you lots and lots xx ps Paul it has been lovely that you have been able to share Alex's adventure with us and here's to India! next!

Paul Map reading skills and a sense of direction are essential orienteering skills, Alex. Best of luck! I'm expecting a very nice present, Alex. Only joking! Thankfully you weren't in the bunk below that extremely ignorant guy. I prefer bottom bunks normally but perhaps I need to rethink for the future! The Macchu Pichu trek sounds wonderful and I'm sure I would simply have loved it, just as you did. I'm envious! Your last post - sad, I know, but some people are going to be overjoyed to see you very soon. You may be amused to learn that I took part in an ethnic past-time yesterday evening. A friend of mine dragged me Morris dancing! Not as ethnic or exciting as anything you've been up to but it's about as ethnic and exciting as East Anglia has to offer! Hope you have a trouble free and relaxing trip home and I know there'll be a joyous family reunion upon your return. All the very best to you and your family, Alex - I've enjoyed reading your blog and many of the responses, even some of those that seemed to be written in Cantwell dialect (Auntie Vic's second language)! Take lots of care and all the very best for the future. Even though you're off to the UEA, I hope to catch a glimpse of you sometime!

Paul Hi Alex, just to say that my middle aged and overweight identical twin (thankfully I'm nothing like him) brother managed the Inca Trail, so I'm sure you'll have no trouble! Have a great time. Looking forward to hearing all about it. Feel I'm missing out on all the wonderful photos! Take care, Paul.

Jake Hey Al, glad to hear all is well! And I'm looking forward to seeing you soon!:) Got back from Holland yesterday evening, was pretty intense but also a great experience - have been advised it is going to be an annual thing so got that to look forward to each year! Apart from that all is the same! Working and so on.. I'm sure you haven't had too much time to think of home as you're doing so many things! But we miss you and look forward to seeing you soon! Take care and see you next week!!! Jake x

Mum Hi Sweetheart, glad that you are enjoying Cusco and I think it has worked out well leaving the Inca trail experience till last and am sure even though you haven't exercised properly you will still be much fitter than most! Make sure you have some warm socks and clothes for the freezing nights....it will be practice for when you come home as some of the nights here have been a bit nippy! Lots going on at work so have been pretty busy with all that! Celebrity bb ison at the moment but I don't think you will be disappointed that it will be finished by the time you get back.....it has been poor in the extreme! Dad is out doing his speed awareness as I type, he is stopping to buy himself chinese takeaway on the way home as he feels he might need cheering up! ha ha! Alice and Billy are getting excited to see you as are we all! Take care and thoroughly enjoy (will keep our fingers crossed it isn't too wet or cold) love you lots xx

Me Go Jacob!! How exciting! Travelling with work, the lucky git! Enjoying Cusco and start the Inca Trail on 23rd for 4 days, starting to wonder what I've let myself in for- I haven't exercised properly for months and it's meant to be raining a lot and freezing at night. But it will be an achievement and I'm sure the views will be worth it- it is Macchu Pichu after all and I can do anything now! The shoes have just about made it Vic! They stink and the grip has worn off the bottom from all the miles they've covered, but they have been great and will do me proud I'm sure! Have fun and enjoy! Alex xx

Auntie vic Jaycuts home!!! Loved it. When do you do the inca trail? And have your shoes lasted for it?? Xxxxxx

Paul Your Dad, being an obvious ITFC fan, might be vaguely interested to learn that when I did a spreed awareness course a couple of years ago at Weston Homes Community Stadium, Colchester, I sat at the same table as Scott Malone, (then Millwall FC, now Cardiff). We were each taking a polite interest in what each other did for a living and I asked him what he did. At that point, everyone lost interest in anyone else's career!

Paul Next time I go to the loo, I must remember how lucky I am to be able to shove my toilet paper in there too! Somehow, I think the 'not going out at home anymore' bit may change when you get back - your trip to South America will prove to have been a life changing experience. Just a few short months and you've probably learned as much as might have taken many years at home. Well done, you! Quiz night the other day and there were two music rounds - I failed to offer a contribution to a single musical question! Fortunately, I did know some of the other stuff. Have been invited orienteering on Sunday (a new experience) and Robbie Burns has provided the perfect excuse for another Ceilidh on Saturday evening. And there's a hand, my trusty fiere! And gie's a hand o' thine! And we'll tak' a right guid-willie waught, For auld lang syne. I have absolutely no idea what that means!